Scratch board musical instrument and playing implement

Abstract

A scratch board musical instrument ( 1 ) and playing implement ( 2 ) having a playing surface ( 5 ) with a plurality of horizontal ripples, ridges and valleys ( 8, 6, 7 ), a border ( 9 ) surrounding the playing surface and a handle ( 4 ) on one side for holding the musical instrument by hand. The playing implement ( 2 ) has a handle ( 12 ) with a metal rod ( 13 ) extending therefrom which is bent or curved at a distal end to provide a surface on each side for running the rod transversely across the horizontal ridges to produce a “bluegrass” musical effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:  
     
       1. A scratch board musical instrument and playing implement comprising: 
       at least one playing surface having a plurality of horizontal ridges and valleys, said ridges having a plurality of ripples along a crest of each ridge;  
       a border surrounding and holding the at least one playing surface rigidly in place;  
       a handle, on one side of the border for holding the musical instrument by hand; and  
       a playing implement with a handle having a rod extending therefrom with a tip at a distal end having a bend to provide a curved portion for scratching against the at least one playing surface to yield an accompanying musical sound.  
     
     
       2. The scratch board musical instrument of claim  1  wherein the ridges and valleys on the at least one playing surface are alternating. 
     
     
       3. The scratch board musical instrument of claim  2  wherein the playing surface is held rigidly in place by channels cut into an inner side of the border to hold each side of the at least one playing surface. 
     
     
       4. The scratch board musical instrument of claim  1  wherein the playing surface is held rigidly in place by channels cut into an inner side of the border to hold each side of the at least one playing surface. 
     
     
       5. A scratch board musical instrument and playing implement comprising: 
       at least one playing surface having a plurality of horizontal ridges and valleys, said ridges having a plurality of ripples along a crest of each ridge;  
       a border surrounding and holding the at least one playing surface rigidly in place;  
       a handle on one side of the border for holding the musical instrument by hand; and  
       a playing implement with a handle having a rod extending therefrom with a tip at a distal end being curled for scratching against the at least one playing surface to yield an accompanying musical sound.  
     
     
       6. The scratch board musical instrument of claim  5  wherein the ridges and valleys on at least one playing surface are alternating. 
     
     
       7. The scratch board musical instrument of claim  5  wherein the playing surface is held rigidly in place by channels cut into an inner side of the border to hold each side of the at least one playing surface.